Liquid Crystal Lens and Display Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure provides a liquid crystal lens and a display apparatus. The liquid crystal lens includes a first substrate and a second substrate arranged to be opposite to each other, a common electrode being provided on the second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second substrates and including liquid crystal molecules; liquid crystal lens units, each of which includes a first group of strip-shaped electrodes and a second group of strip-shaped electrodes parallel to each other and spaced apart thereon, upon applying a voltage among the first and second groups, and the common electrode, a planoconvex lens is formed within the liquid crystal molecules between them, wherein each of the first and second groups includes layers of sub-electrodes insulated from each other, the sub-electrodes of the first and second groups are applied with a voltage, so as to adjust symmetry of the planoconvex lens.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application No.201510053775.X entitled “Liquid Crystal Lens and Display Apparatus”,filed on Feb. 2, 2015 in the State Intellectual Property Office ofChina, the whole disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technical field of display, moreparticular to a liquid crystal lens and a display apparatus.

Description of the Related Art

The existing 3D display apparatus normally employs a liquid crystal lensprovided on a 2D display panel. Currently, the liquid crystal lens ismainly formed as follows. As shown in FIG. 1, a planoconvex lens isformed by two strip-shaped electrodes, which are applied with equalvoltages. Each strip-shaped electrode makes the liquid crystal moleculestherebetween to generate the same degree of defection, thereby formingthe planoconvex lens as shown by dashed lines. One liquid crystal lensis made up of a plurality of planoconvex lenses.

Each planoconvex lens corresponds to certain pixel units, and isconfigured to converge a left eye figure onto a left eye of a person anda right eye figure into a right eye of the person, thereby achieving anobject of 3D display.

The above described planoconvex lens can only ensure to have relativelyhigh symmetry and phase delay, in a case that a light transmission axisof 2D display panel is parallel to the strip-shaped electrode and aRubbing direction and all of them are perpendicular to a simulatedsection. In the condition that the strip-shaped electrode and the

Rubbing direction are perpendicular to the simulated section and thereis a certain angle between the simulated section and the lighttransmission axis of the 2D display panel as shown in FIG. 2, it isdifficult to guarantee the formed planoconvex lens to have therelatively high symmetry and the phase delay. For example, there is anangle between the light transmission axis of the 2D display panel (i.e.,a POL direction of the 2D display panel) and the direction of thesimulated section, in a range of 53 to 90 degrees. When the angle is71.57 degrees, the shape of the planoconvex lens by simulation is shownin FIG. 3. The symmetry is relative low, resulting in large crosstalkand relatively small phase delay.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to eliminate or at least alleviatethe defects existing in the prior art as described above, so that theplanoconvex lens formed in the liquid crystal molecules can still haverelatively high symmetry, even through in the case that there is anangle between the direction of simulated section and the lighttransmission axis of the 2D display panel.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, it provides aliquid crystal lens, comprising:

-   -   a first substrate;    -   a second substrate arranged to be opposite to the first        substrate, wherein a common electrode is provided on the second        substrate;    -   a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first and second        substrates and comprising a plurality of liquid crystal        molecules;    -   a plurality of liquid crystal lens units, each of which        comprises a first group of strip-shaped electrodes and a second        group of strip-shaped electrodes parallel to each other and        spaced apart on the first substrate, upon applying a voltage        among the first group of strip-shaped electrodes, the second        group of strip-shaped electrodes and the common electrode, a        planoconvex lens is formed within the liquid crystal molecules        between the common electrode and the first and second groups of        strip-shaped electrodes,    -   wherein each of the first and second groups of strip-shaped        electrodes comprises a plurality of layers of sub-electrodes        insulated from each other, the sub-electrodes of the first group        of strip-shaped electrodes and the sub-electrodes of the second        group of strip-shaped electrodes are applied with a voltage, so        as to adjust symmetry of the planoconvex lens.

In one example, a width of each layer of sub-electrode in the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes and/or a width of each layer ofsub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes decreaseprogressively in a vertical direction from the first substrate to thesecond substrate.

In one example, all of layers of sub-electrodes in the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes have projections coinciding with each other onthe first substrate at an end of a side away from the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes, and/or

-   -   all of layers of sub-electrodes in the second group of        strip-shaped electrodes have projections coinciding with each        other on the first substrate at an end of a side away from the        first group of strip-shaped electrodes.

In one example, in the first and second groups of strip-shapedelectrodes, the widths of the sub-electrodes within a same layer of atleast one layer of sub-electrode are different.

In one example, a number of layers of sub-electrodes within the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes is identical with or different fromthat of layers of sub-electrodes within the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes.

In one example, a thickness of each layer of sub-electrode in the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes is a first thickness, a thickness ofeach layer of sub-electrode in the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes is a second thickness, and the first thickness is equal ornot equal to the second thickness.

In one example, thicknesses of at least two layers of sub-electrodes inthe first group of strip-shaped electrodes are different from eachother, and/or thicknesses of at least two layers of sub-electrodes inthe second group of strip-shaped electrodes are different from eachother.

In one example, each layer of sub-electrode in the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes is applied with a first voltage, each layer ofsub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes is appliedwith a second voltage, and the first voltage is equal or not equal tothe second voltage.

In one example, at least two layers of sub-electrodes in the first groupof strip-shaped electrodes are applied with different voltages, and/orat least two layers of sub-electrodes in the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes are applied with different voltages.

In one example, an insulation layer is provided between each twoadjacent layers of sub-electrodes in the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes, an insulation layer is provided between each two adjacentlayers of sub-electrodes in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes,wherein thicknesses of at least two insulation layers in the first groupof strip-shaped electrodes are different or equal, and/or thicknesses ofat least two insulation layers in the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes are different or equal.

In one example, an insulation part is provided between adjacent liquidcrystal lens units.

In one example, in adjacent liquid crystal lens units, the first groupof strip-shaped electrodes of one liquid crystal lens unit is adjacentto the first group of strip-shaped electrodes or the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes of another liquid crystal lens unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, it providesa display apparatus, comprising the liquid crystal lens as describedabove and a display panel, wherein the liquid crystal lens is providedon a light exiting face of the display panel.

In respective embodiments of the present invention, the planoconvex lensis formed by two groups of strip-shaped electrodes having a multiplelayer structure. In addition, conditions and parameters such as voltageof electrodes, the thickness of electrode, the width of the electrode,the number of layers of electrode, and the thickness of the insulationlayer or the like can be considered comprehensively, so that in the casethat there is an angle between the direction of simulated section andthe light transmission axis of the 2D display panel, the planoconvexlens in the formed liquid crystal lens still has relatively highsymmetry, thereby only generating relative low crosstalk and relativelarge phase delay.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention can be betterunderstood by referring to the drawings, and the drawings are schematicrather than to make any limitation to the present invention, wherein

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin the prior art;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view about relationship of a direction of asimulated section in the liquid crystal lens with a light transmissionaxis of a 2D display panel;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of simulated symmetry of the planoconvex lensof the liquid crystal lens as shown in FIG. 1 in a condition of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing another structure of the liquidcrystal lens as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a simulated symmetry of the planoconvexlens in the liquid crystal lens as shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing a structure of a liquid crystal lensin accordance with an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 first substrate; 2 second substrate; 3 liquid crystal layer; 4 firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes; 41, 42, 43 sub-electrodes of the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes;

5 second group of strip-shaped electrodes; 51, 52, 53 sub-electrodes ofthe second group of strip-shaped electrodes; 6 common electrode; 7insulation layer; 8 insulation part; 10 liquid crystal lens unit

DETAINED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In order to clearly understand the above objects, features andadvantages of the present invention, the specific embodiments of thepresent invention are described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings. Please be noted that embodiments and features ofthe embodiments of the present application can be combined with eachother, without any conflict.

Numerous details are set out in the following for better understandingthe present invention. However, the present invention can also beimplemented by other embodiments except those described herein.Therefore, the scope of the present invention is not limited to thedisclosed embodiments.

As shown in FIG. 4, a liquid crystal lens in accordance with a firstembodiment of the present invention includes a first substrate 1 and asecond substrate 2 provided to be opposite to each other; and a liquidcrystal layer 3 interposed between the first and second substrates 1 and2. The second substrate 2 is provided with a common electrode 6, and theliquid crystal layer 3 includes a plurality of liquid crystal molecules(not shown).

The liquid crystal lens further includes at least one liquid crystallens unit, for example, only one liquid crystal lens unit as shown inFIG. 4. In another embodiment, the liquid crystal lens includes aplurality of liquid crystal lens units 10 (as shown in FIG. 5). Eachliquid crystal lens unit 10 includes a first group of strip-shapedelectrodes 4 and a second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 parallel toeach other and spaced apart on the first substrate 1. When a voltage isapplied among the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4, the secondgroup of strip-shaped electrodes 5 and the common electrode 6, theliquid crystal molecules among the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes 4, the second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 and thecommon electrode 6 are formed as a planoconvex lens. Each of the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes 5 includes a plurality of layers of sub-electrodes insulatedfrom each other. The sub-electrodes 41, 42, 43 (as described below) ofthe first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and the sub-electrodes 51,52, 53 (as described below) of the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes 5 are respectively applied with a voltage, so as to adjustthe symmetry of the planoconvex lens.

The two groups of strip-shaped electrodes having a structure of multiplelayers are energized to deflect the liquid crystal molecules. Becausethe sub-electrodes of the strip-shaped electrodes in the multiple layerstructure from bottom to up are more and more close to the liquidcrystal molecules, the electric fields generated after energizing aredifferent and thus each layer of electrode makes the liquid crystalmolecules deflect differently. The synthesized electric field formed bythe electric fields of the sub-electrodes makes the liquid crystalmolecules generate more complex deflection. Therefore, the formedplanoconvex lens can approximately adjust symmetry thereof and ensure itin the liquid crystal molecules still to have relatively high symmetry(degree), in a case that there is an angle between the direction ofsimulated section and the light transmission axis of the 2D displaypanel.

Preferably, the width of each layer of sub-electrode in the first groupof strip-shaped electrodes 4 and/or the width of each layer ofsub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 decreaseprogressively in a vertical direction from the first substrate 1 to thesecond substrate 2 (the up and down direction as shown in FIG. 4 or 5).In the present disclosure, the width of each layer of sub-electrode ismeant to a distance in a left to right direction of a page in FIG. 4 or5 or a distance in a direction from the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes 4 to the second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5.

The width of each layer of sub-electrode decreases in the direction fromup to bottom as shown in FIG. 4 or 5, which makes the electric fieldlines more dense in the electric field generated by the sub-electrodesmore close to the top and the electric field lines more sparse in theelectric field generated by the sub-electrodes more close to the bottom,thereby the liquid crystal molecules can generate the relatively largedeflection at a position corresponding to the sub-electrodes at the topand generate the relatively small deflection at a position correspondingto the sub-electrodes at the bottom. In this way, the planoconvex lensformed between the two groups of strip-shaped electrodes and the commonelectrode has a more consistent curvature, becomes smoother and hasrelatively high symmetry.

Preferably, all of layers of sub-electrodes in the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 have projections coinciding with each other onthe first substrate 1 at an end of a side away from the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 5; and/or all of layers of sub-electrodes in thesecond group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 have projections coincidingwith each other on the first substrate 1 at an end of a side away fromthe first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4.

In this way, it can ensure the liquid crystal lens is formed only by thegroup of strip-shaped electrodes with the other group of strip-shapedelectrodes within the same liquid crystal lens unit; the influence tothe liquid crystal molecules corresponding to the groups of strip-shapedelectrodes in the adjacent liquid crystal lens unit thereto is verysmall, and further ensure the regularity of each formed planoconvexlens.

One lens grating can be formed by a plurality of planoconvex lenses, soas to transfer the image of the corresponding pixel unit to the left eyeor the right eye of the user, thereby achieving the object of 3Ddisplay.

As shown in FIG. 6, the planoconvex lens in the liquid crystal lensformed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present inventionhas relatively high symmetry compared to that in the prior art, in acondition that there is an angle between the direction of simulatedsection and the light transmission axis of the 2D display panel.Furthermore, there is relatively large difference between the maximumrefractive index and the minimum refractive index of the formed liquidcrystal lens (for indicating the generated phase delay).

As shown in FIG. 7, preferably, within the first and second groups ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5, the sub-electrodes within the samelayer among the at least one layers have different widths.

For example, the top sub-electrode 41 of the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes 4 is located at the same layer as the top sub-electrode 51 ofthe second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5, but they have differentwidths. In one example, the width of the sub-electrode 41 is smallerthan that of the sub-electrode 51; of course, it is also possible to setthe width of the sub-electrode 41 wider than that of the sub-electrode51 as required. Thus, the sub-electrode 41 and the sub-electrode 51 canform different electric fields respectively, and further it enables theliquid crystal molecules to have different deflection degrees. In thecase that there is the angle between the direction of the simulatedsection and the light transmission axis of the 2D display panel, it canfurther ensure the planoconvex lens formed in the liquid crystal stillhas relatively high symmetry.

As shown in FIG. 8, preferably, the number of layers of sub-electrodesin the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 is different from thatof layers of sub-electrodes in the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes 5.

The numbers of layers of sub-electrodes in the first and second groupsof strip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 may be different from each other, forexample, the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 includes fourlayers of sub-electrodes, and the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes 5 includes three layers of sub-electrodes. Of course, it ispossible to set the number of layers of sub-electrodes in the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes 4 to be larger than that of layers ofsub-electrodes in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5.Therefore, the first and second groups of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and5 respectively generate different electric fields; and thus deflect theliquid crystal molecules differently. In this way, in the case thatthere is the angle between the direction of the simulated section andthe light transmission axis of the 2D display panel, it can furtherensure that the planoconvex lens formed in the liquid crystal moleculesstill has the relatively high symmetry.

As shown in FIG. 9, preferably, the thickness of each layer ofsub-electrode in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 is a firstthickness, the thickness of each layer of sub-electrode in the secondgroup of strip-shaped electrodes 5 is a second thickness, and the firstthickness is not equal to the second thickness. Please be noted thateach layer of sub-electrode of the first and second groups ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 as shown in FIGS. 4-8 has an equalthickness.

The thickness of each layer of subelectrode in the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 might not be equal to that of each layer ofsub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5, forexample the thickness of each layer of sub-electrode in the first group4 is larger than that of each layer of sub-electrode in the second group5. Of course, it is possible to set the thickness of each layer ofsub-electrode in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 to besmaller than that of each layer of sub-electrode in the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 5. Thus, the first and second groups ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 respectively generate different electricfields; and thus deflect the liquid crystal molecules differently. Inthis way, in the case that there is the angle between the direction ofthe simulated section and the light transmission axis of the 2D displaypanel, it can further ensure that the planoconvex lens formed in theliquid crystal molecules still has the relatively high symmetry.

As shown in FIG. 10, preferably, at least two layers of sub-electrodesin the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 have thicknessesdifferent from each other; and/or at least two layers of sub-electrodesin the second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 have thicknessesdifferent from each other.

For example, the sub-electrode 42 in the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes 4 has a different thickness from that of the sub-electrode 43thereof and the sub-electrode 52 in the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes 5 has a different thickness from that of the sub-electrode 53thereof. Of course, it is also possible to set the thickness of otherlayers of sub-electrodes as required. On basis of this, each layer ofsub-electrode in the first and/or second groups of strip-shapedelectrodes 4 and 5 can generate different electric field. Thus, thefirst and second groups of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 respectivelygenerate different electric fields; and thus deflect the liquid crystalmolecules by different degrees. In this way, in the case that there isthe angle between the direction of the simulated section and the lighttransmission axis of the 2D display panel, it can further ensure thatthe planoconvex lens formed in the liquid crystal molecules still hasthe relatively high symmetry.

As an example, in respective embodiments of the present invention, eachlayer of sub-electrode in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4is applied with a first voltage, each layer of sub-electrode in thesecond group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 is applied with a secondvoltage, and the first and second voltages are equal or not equal.

The electric field generated by the electrodes is correlated to thevoltage provided to them. Each layer of sub-electrode in the first groupof strip-shaped electrodes 4 and each layer of sub-electrode in thesecond group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 are provided with differentvoltages, so that each layer of sub-electrode therein can respectivelygenerate different electric fields. Thus, the first and second groups ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 respectively generate different electricfields; and thus deflect the liquid crystal molecules by differentdegrees. In this way, in the case that there is the angle between thedirection of the simulated section and the light transmission axis ofthe 2D display panel, it can further ensure that the planoconvex lensformed in the liquid crystal molecules still has the relatively highsymmetry.

Preferably, in respective embodiments of the present invention, at leasttwo layers of sub-electrodes in the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes 4 are applied with different voltages; and/or at least twolayers of sub-electrodes in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes5 are applied with different voltages.

By applying different voltages to the respective layers ofsub-electrodes in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and/or tothe respective layers of sub-electrodes in the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 5, the respective layers of sub-electrode in thefirst group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and/or the respective layers ofsub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes 5 areconfigured to generate different electric field, thereby the first andsecond groups of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 respectively generatedifferent electric fields; and thus deflect the liquid crystal moleculesby different degrees. In this way, in the case that there is the anglebetween the direction of the simulated section and the lighttransmission axis of the 2D display panel, it can further ensure thatthe planoconvex lens formed in the liquid crystal molecules still hasthe relatively high symmetry.

As an example, when each layer of sub-electrode in the first and secondgroups of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 is energized with an equalvoltage, the numbers of the layers of sub-electrodes in the first andsecond groups of strip-shaped electrodes 4 and 5 are different.

As an example, when the number of the layer of sub-electrode in thefirst group of strip-shaped electrode 4 is identical with that of thelayer of sub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrode 5,the sub electrode (i.e., one layer or multiple layers of sub-electrodes)in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 is applied withdifferent voltage from the sub-electrode (i.e., one layer or multiplelayers of sub-electrodes) in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes5.

As shown in FIG. 11, as an example, an insulation layer 7 is providedbetween every two adjacent layers of sub-electrodes in the first groupof strip-shaped electrodes 4 and an insulation layer 7 is providedbetween every two adjacent layers of sub-electrodes in the second groupof strip-shaped electrodes 5, wherein at least two insulation layers ofthe first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 have different thicknesses,and/or at least two insulation layers of the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 5 have different thicknesses.

For example, the insulation layer 7 provided within the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 has two sub-layers, one (sub-insulation layer71) of which has the thickness larger than that of the othersub-insulation layer 72. Of course, the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes 5 can be provided with such insulation layer, but not shownin the drawing and the thickness thereof can be set according to theactual requirement. The provision of the insulation layer between everytwo layers of sub-electrodes can ensure the insulation between theadjacent layers of sub-electrodes, and avoid the short circuit of theadjacent electrodes. The superposed electric field formed by the layersof sub-electrodes will be influenced by the insulation layer providedtherein. By virtue of the provision of the insulation layer havingdifferent thicknesses between every adjacent two layers ofsub-electrodes, the first and second groups of strip-shaped electrodes 4and 5 will respectively generate different electric fields; and thusdeflect the liquid crystal molecules by different degrees. In this way,in the case that there is the angle between the direction of thesimulated section and the light transmission axis of the 2D displaypanel, it can further ensure that the planoconvex lens formed in theliquid crystal molecules still has the relatively high symmetry.

As shown in FIG. 12, it is preferable to provide an insulation part 8between adjacent liquid crystal lens units 10 in respective embodimentsof the present invention.

The insulation part 8 can ensure no occurrence of short circuit betweentwo adjacent groups of strip-shaped electrodes in two adjacent liquidcrystal lens units 10.

Preferably, in two adjacent liquid crystal lens units 10, a first groupof strip-shaped electrodes 4 in one liquid crystal lens unit 10 isadjacent to a first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 or a second groupof strip-shaped electrodes 5 in the other liquid crystal lens unit 10.As shown in FIG. 13, the first group of strip-shaped electrodes 4 in oneliquid crystal lens unit 10 is adjacent to the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes 4 in another liquid crystal lens unit 10.

Please be noted that FIGS. 12 and 13 only show one group of strip-shapedelectrodes includes 4 layers of sub-electrodes; and the other group ofstrip-shaped electrodes includes 3 layers of sub-electrodes. Actually,it is feasible to set the number of layers of sub-electrodes asrequired.

The planoconvex lenses are formed by different arrangement, for formingthe different lens gratings and a desired liquid crystal lens.

An embodiment of the present invention also provides a displayapparatus, including the liquid crystal lens as described above and adisplay panel, wherein the liquid crystal lens is provided at a lightexiting face of the display panel.

Please be noted that the display apparatus in the present embodiment canbe any product or component having display function, such as electricalpaper, mobile phone, flat panel computer, television, notebook computer,digital photo frame, navigator or the like.

Also, please be noted that in the drawings, for sake of clarity, thesizes of some layer and region might be exaggerated. Furthermore, itshould be understood that when an element or a layer is called as “on”another element or layer, it means that it may directly be located onanother element or there might be a middle layer between them. Inaddition, it should be understandable that when the element or layer iscalled as “below” another element or layer, it means that it can bedirectly located below another element or there might be at least onemiddle layer or element. In addition, it also should be understood thatwhen the layer or element is called between the two layers or twoelements, it means that it can be the only layer between the two layersor the only layer between the two elements, or there also might be atleast one middle layer or element. The similar reference numbersthroughout the description indicate the similar elements.

The technical solutions of embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings.Taking into consideration of the liquid crystal lens in the prior art,in the case that there is a certain angle between the simulated sectionand the light transmission axis of the 2D display panel, it is difficultto ensure the formed planoconvex lens to have relative high symmetry andphase delay. Embodiments of the present invention provide a liquidcrystal lens, and the planoconvex lens is formed by two groups ofstrip-shaped electrodes having a multiple layer structure. In addition,factors such as charging voltage of electrodes, the thickness ofelectrode, the width of the electrode and the thickness of theinsulation layer or the like can be considered comprehensively, so thatin the case that there is an angle between the direction of simulatedsection and the light transmission axis of the 2D display panel, theplanoconvex lens in the formed liquid crystal lens still has relativelyhigh symmetry, thereby only generating relative low crosstalk andrelative large phase delay.

In the present context, the term “first”, “second” and “third” only areintended for description, rather than to interpret the indication orsuggestion of the relative importance. The term “plurality” is meant totwo or more, unless clearly defined otherwise.

The above preferred embodiments are only used to explain the presentinvention, rather than to make limitation to the present invention. Theordinary skilled person in the relevant technical field can also makevarious changes and modification, without departing apart from thespirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, all themodification, equivalent alternatives and improvements also belong tothe scope of the present invention, and the scope of the presentinvention should be defined by the pending claims.

1. A liquid crystal lens, comprising: a first substrate; a secondsubstrate arranged to be opposite to the first substrate, wherein acommon electrode is provided on the second substrate; a liquid crystallayer interposed between the first and second substrates and comprisinga plurality of liquid crystal molecules; a plurality of liquid crystallens units, each of which comprises a first group of strip-shapedelectrodes and a second group of strip-shaped electrodes parallel toeach other and spaced apart on the first substrate, upon applying avoltage among the first group of strip-shaped electrodes, the secondgroup of strip-shaped electrodes and the common electrode, a planoconvexlens is formed within the liquid crystal molecules between the commonelectrode and the first and second groups of strip-shaped electrodes,wherein each of the first and second groups of strip-shaped electrodescomprises a plurality of layers of sub-electrodes insulated from eachother, the sub-electrodes of the first group of strip-shaped electrodesand the sub-electrodes of the second group of strip-shaped electrodesare applied with a voltage, so as to adjust symmetry of the planoconvexlens.
 2. The liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein a widthof each layer of sub-electrode in the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes and/or a width of each layer of sub-electrode in the secondgroup of strip-shaped electrodes decrease progressively in a verticaldirection from the first substrate to the second substrate.
 3. Theliquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1 wherein all of layers ofsub-electrodes in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes haveprojections coinciding with each other on the first substrate at an endof a side away from the second group of strip-shaped electrodes, and/orall of layers of sub-electrodes in the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes have projections coinciding with each other on the firstsubstrate at an end of a side away from the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes.
 4. The liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein inthe first and second groups of strip-shaped electrodes, the widths ofthe sub-electrodes within a same layer of at least one layer ofsub-electrodes are different.
 5. The liquid crystal lens as claimed inclaim 1, wherein a number of layers of sub-electrodes within the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes is identical with or different fromthat of layers of sub-electrodes within the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes.
 6. The liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein athickness of each layer of sub-electrode in the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes is a first thickness, a thickness of each layerof sub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes is asecond thickness, and the first thickness is equal or not equal to thesecond thickness.
 7. The liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1,wherein thicknesses of at least two layers of sub-electrodes in thefirst group of strip-shaped electrodes are different from each other,and/or thicknesses of at least two layers of sub-electrodes in thesecond group of strip-shaped electrodes are different from each other.8. The liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein each layer ofsub-electrode in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes is appliedwith a first voltage, each layer of sub-electrode in the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes is applied with a second voltage, and the firstvoltage is equal or not equal to the second voltage.
 9. The liquidcrystal lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two layers ofsub-electrodes in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes are appliedwith different voltages, and/or at least two layers of sub-electrodes inthe second group of strip-shaped electrodes are applied with differentvoltages.
 10. The liquid crystal lens as claimed in claim 1, wherein aninsulation layer is provided between each two adjacent layers ofsub-electrodes in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes, aninsulation layer is provided between each two adjacent layers ofsub-electrodes in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes, whereinthicknesses of at least two insulation layers in the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes are different or equal, and/or thicknesses of atleast two insulation layers in the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes are different or equal.
 11. The liquid crystal lens asclaimed in claim 1, wherein an insulation part is provided betweenadjacent liquid crystal lens units.
 12. The liquid crystal lens asclaimed in claim 1, wherein in adjacent liquid crystal lens units, thefirst group of strip-shaped electrodes of one liquid crystal lens unitis adjacent to the first group of strip-shaped electrodes or the secondgroup of strip-shaped electrodes of another liquid crystal lens unit.13. A display apparatus, comprising the liquid crystal lens as claimedin claim 1, and a display panel, wherein the liquid crystal lens isprovided on a light exiting face of the display panel.
 14. The liquidcrystal lens as claimed in claim 2, wherein all of layers ofsub-electrodes in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes haveprojections coinciding with each other on the first substrate at an endof a side away from the second group of strip-shaped electrodes, and/orall of layers of sub-electrodes in the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes have projections coinciding with each other on the firstsubstrate at an end of a side away from the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes.
 15. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein awidth of each layer of sub-electrode in the first group of strip-shapedelectrodes and/or a width of each layer of sub-electrode in the secondgroup of strip-shaped electrodes decrease progressively in a verticaldirection from the first substrate to the second substrate.
 16. Thedisplay apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein in the first andsecond groups of strip-shaped electrodes, the widths of thesub-electrodes within a same layer of at least one layer ofsub-electrodes are different.
 17. The display apparatus as claimed inclaim 13, wherein a number of layers of sub-electrodes within the firstgroup of strip-shaped electrodes is identical with or different fromthat of layers of sub-electrodes within the second group of strip-shapedelectrodes.
 18. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein athickness of each layer of sub-electrode in the first group ofstrip-shaped electrodes is a first thickness, a thickness of each layerof sub-electrode in the second group of strip-shaped electrodes is asecond thickness, and the first thickness is equal or not equal to thesecond thickness.
 19. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 13,wherein thicknesses of at least two layers of sub-electrodes in thefirst group of strip-shaped electrodes are different from each other,and/or thicknesses of at least two layers of sub-electrodes in thesecond group of strip-shaped electrodes are different from each other.20. The display apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein each layer ofsub-electrode in the first group of strip-shaped electrodes is appliedwith a first voltage, each layer of sub-electrode in the second group ofstrip-shaped electrodes is applied with a second voltage, and the firstvoltage is equal or not equal to the second voltage.